Monday, December 29, 2008

Hope your holidays were happy. I know, I know, they're not quite over yet, which is exactly why I thought I'd take a moment to offer up a few "timely"suggestions on movies you might enjoy watching as we head into the New Year.

All of the following movies center around 'time' in some fashion or another. Why time? Because New Year's Eve is all about time - from watching the hands of the clock move towards the midnight hour to watching some really good movies about time!

While some of these films will never make anyone's Top Ten list, each has something unique to offer. Chances are you’ve seen some - if not most of them, but I would bet there are at least one or two you’ve missed.

So here we go – Movies about time.

When Harry Met Sally – ends on New Year's Eve, which certainly makes it a candidate for New Year’s Eve watching. But it is also relevant in that it follows two people through a dozen or more years of their lives. If you love Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan and/or Nora Ephron’s witty dialogue this movie is for you. The plot is basically this: Harry and Sally meet fresh out of college. She finds him annoying. He’s oblivious. Years later they meet again. They become friends. Then best friends, which works really well, until they have to deal with the question of whether or not they might ruin a good thing by taking their friendship to the next level. The plot is predictable, but who cares?

And here’s another time-related movie. Groundhog Day (1993)is a fanciful tale of a TV weatherman with a major cause of deja. Bill Murray stars as disagreeable sort of fella who re-lives the same day (Groundhog day) over and over again until he gets it right. Andi McDowell is Murray’s love interest. She, and the rest of the cast are perfectly cast – especially a character actor by the name of Stephen Tobolowsky who makes the part of nerdy insurance salesman Ned Ryerson his own. Directed by Harold Ramis, this one is a must-see. (P.S. Look for Murray’s brother as a local Puxatony official.)

Back to the Future (1985) – You’ve no doubt seen this one, but it may be time for a second look. Michael J. Fox takes us back to the 50's - and it's a great ride. Avoid the sequels.

1985 was a great year for time travel movies. Not only did we get Back to the Future, but a gem of a movie called Peggy Sue Got Married. Forget the fact that Nicholas Cage looks like Kathleen Turner’s son rather than her husband, the plot is warm and witty and nostalgic, and it’s just fun to watch. Look for Jim Carey in one of his earliest roles.

84 Charing Cross Road (1987) stars Anne Bancroft and Anthony Hopkins as, respectively, a woman who loves to read, and a man who runs a book shop. The movie takes the viewer from the 1950s through the 1980s, and how these two people , separated by time and space (she in NYC, he in London) grow to admire and care about each other solely through their letters. This small movie is wonderfully cast and beautifully filmed. The set decorations are perfect, and the story is true. I interviewed author Helene Hanff shortly before she passed away. This was her story, lovingly told in her best-selling book by the same name. While the movie romanticised the relationship between Hanff and book-seller Frank Doel, Ms. Hanff said theirs was more of a friendship, based upon a love of books. I adore this little movie and hope you will as well. But be forwarned: after watching it there's a good chance you’ll want to head to your favorite antiquarian book store and buy something old, worn and bound in leather. I know I did.

Soylent Green (1973) is an entirely different type of movie – certainly not what you’d call a ‘fun’ flick, but certainly thought-provoking. Unfortunately, the Technicolor palate has not aged well, but if you can get past that, I think you’ll find the future seen from 1973 eyes, to be an intoxicating/distressing mix of predictions. I was never a Charlton Heston fan, but the movie succeeds despite him. Edward G. Robinson is marvelous, particularly in a key scene where the two men dine on - - - well, I’m not going to spoil it for you. But it’s well worth watching.

Random Harvest (1942) is one of my all-time favorite movies. Greer Garson is glorious, and Ronald Coleman does a wonderful job of taking on the look and feel of an amnesiac (a casualty of WW1) who looses years of his life, gains a new one, and then … well, here’s another case of my not wanting to spoil it for you. I adore this film. It’s as romantic as they come.

If you’ve seen all of the above, and yearn for something new and a bit different, you’ll want to rent Run Lola Run (1998). This German film combines animation with ‘regular’ film, and is a story built around a critical twenty-minute time frame. Because it is so (I hate this phrase, so forgive me) “cutting edge” in its execution, you may hate this movie. On the other hand….

Brigadoon is certainly a safer choice. This 1954 musicial stars Gene Kelly and Van Johnson as two New Yorkers who go on a hunting trip to Scotland, only to discover a town that appears once every one-hundred years. It could have been called “The Big Sleep” – but I suppose that name was already taken. All kidding aside, Lerner and Lowe’s score, Gene and Cyd Charisse’s dancing, and the fanciful plot make this one of the classic musicals of its time.

Now here’s one you may not have seen – although there’s a good chance you read Peter Mayle’s best selling memoir. It’s called A Year in Provence. This was never in ‘theatrical release’ but rather a four-part 1993 series on PBS. It stars John Thaw, Lindsay Duncan, Jean-Pierre Delage – names which are probably unfamiliar to you. But please, don’t let that stop you from watching this wonderful piece. It’s the tale of an advertising executive and his accountant wife who leave the rat race behind and move to the south of France where they set up housekeeping on an old, drafty cottage wreaking with charm and possibilities. The story revolves around them, their guests, the workmen who work on their home and the townspeople. But the region itself plays a major part in the story. You’ll want to book the next flight to Provence after watching it. It’s funny and charming and thoughtful and just plain wonderful. Each season has its own tape – or DVD. Be sure and watch them in the right sequence.

And finally, two time-related love stories: Same Time Next Year (1978) and Somewhere in Time (1980).

Same Time Next Year is the tale of two people who meet over dinner at a California Inn, and fall in love. Over the next thirty years or so they meet once a year, for a romantic weekend, that draws them together, despite the fact that they are each married to someone else. This romantic comedy stars Alan Alda and Burstyn, but time is an ever-present co-star, as we see howNot only their characters change over the years, but how we as a nation are effected by the changing times.

Somewhere in Time is an imperfect movie, but is still well worth watching. For starters there’s that haunting musical theme, and then there’s Christopher Reeve – looking strong and healthy and the ever-lovely Jane Seymour. This time-travel movie is about a playwright who falls in love with a seventy-year-old photograph of an actress. So strong is his attraction to this photograph that he actually wills himself back in time, and winds up at Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel where the now ‘young’ actress is performing. You have to throw away any thoughts about what is possible and just go with the flow.

And with that I want to thank you for reading my blog. May 2009 bring all of us peace, joy and good health. Take care, and let me hear from you.

Monday, December 22, 2008

It’s Hannukah, Chanukkah, Hanukkah, Chanukah. No matter how you spell it, if you’re celebrating this Festival of Lights, I wish you a happy holiday!

Today I thought I'd tackle the subject of holiday music, offering up some last-minute suggestions on Christmas albums you might want to give or get, while waxing nostalgic on Christmas music I have known and loved.

While I must admit to having a certain soft spot for the Hannukah kiddie ditties of my youth ("The Dreydl Song" being one of them,"Hannuhah, Hannukah" being the other), they don't appear on the albums I've flagged as holiday favorites. The truth is, few (if any) major artists included them in their holiday offerings. And so it is with deep regret that I move on to other, more widely available sounds of the season. I'm talking Christmas season.

As you will soon see, the bulk of these albums are, admittedly, sung or played by people who are no longer with us - iconic vocalists like Rosemary Clooney, Peggy Lee and Frank Sinatra. Unfortunately, several of my favorite albums never made it to CD, and are only available on eBay and/or other used 'record' outlets. Most, however, can still be yours for the asking.

I'm also including a list of favorite Christmas singles. I'm talking about all of those old hokey Christmas hits like "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause," "Up on the Roof Top," "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," "Frosty the Snowman," "All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth" and "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer." Corny? Yes. But it seems to me that at times like this, we need a little corn.

“Corn” aside, I'm also including a list of those wonderfully romantic and nostalgic tunes that came out of the 40's and 50's. I’m talking about the songs they used to sing on the variety shows that once dotted the networks. Songs like "I'll Be Home for Christmas," "Let it Snow," "Silver Bells," "It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas,” "Baby It's Cold Outside," and "The Christmas Song" still sound as warm and fuzzy as they ever did..perhaps even more so. And while I generally don't like the far-off sound of albums recorded by orchestras and groups if that era, I will say that "Sleigh Ride", as recorded by either the Boston Pops or Ray Conniff Singers is always a welcome treat.

So is just about anything Perry Como ever recorded, including "There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays" - a song that unfortunately doesn't get much play anymore.

One or two New Year’s tunes came out of that same period that are worth noting. Among them: "What Are You Doing New Years?" and "Moments to Remember." They used to play the latter song on the radio at the end of every year.

And speaking of the end of the year…

When I was a young girl – my dad and I went to Richmond, Virginia one year to visit his best friend. I remember going to the movies while we were there. Before the feature began, the management threw some lyrics up on the screen with a bouncing ball over them to guide the audience in a sing-along. A music track — complete with vocalist— played, and everyone sang along. I have no idea why I still remember some of the lyrics when I can hardly recall what I had for breakfast this morning (Toast? Coffee?), but I do. They were written to the tune of “You You You” – an Ames Brother’s song that quickly faded into oblivion. In any case, the verse went something like this:

While you may be unfamiliar with the Ames Brothers and “You, You, You,” and are too young to have lived through the era of the bouncing ball, you may recall such hit holiday singles as "Jingle Bell Rock" and "The Chipmunk Song," or a much more recent tune that I believe is destined to become a holiday classic. I'm 'talking'about "All I Want For Christmas Is You." My favorite version is not by Mariah Carey (who co-wrote it) or Miley Cyrus, but rather by a young girl named Olivia Olson, who sang it in the movie “Love Actually.” Both the tune and the 2003 holiday flick are worthy of your attention.

And now, as promised, my list of favorite Christmas albums. You’ll notice that there are a fair amount of albums featuring a variety of different artists. Such offerings can often be a mixed bag, as a few not-so-great artists or arrangements can creep into the mix. But for the most part, the multi-artist albums I've included here are a wonderful way to enjoy some of the best music of the season, without having to purchase all of the individual albums. I know that many of you buy your music song-by-song on the Internet, but for those of us who are still purchasing albums we can pick up and pop in our CD players, they are a little bit of heaven.

Have wonderful holiday, and let me know if you have a Christmas or Hannukah) favorite to add to this list!

Till the next time…

THE SINATRA CHRISTMAS ALBUM - (FRANK SINATRA)SOME OF THE TUNES: THE CHRISTMAS SONG - MISTLETOE AND HOLLY - I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS - THE CHRISTMAS WALTZ - HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS

ELLA WISHES YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS - (ELLA FITZGERALD)SOME OF THE TUNES: JINGLE BELLS, THE CHRISTMAS SONG, HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS

CROON AND SWOON – A CLASSIC CHRISTMAS - (MULTIPLE ARTISTS INCLUDING: LEROY ANDERSON, JOHNNY MATHIS, ANDY WILLIAMS & PERRY COMO) SOME OF THE TUNES: THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN, THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS, THE CHRISTMAS WALTZ, NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS

Friday, December 19, 2008

Well, here we are again! You may recall that we left off with my recommending that you watch the 1945 version of "Christmas In Connecticut." It's my all-time Christmas favorite. But I have to tell you, I also like Holiday Inn. Bing Crosby singing "White Christmas" at the piano (He did it again in Technicolor in the movie by the same name), a great-looking set, and Fred Astaire dancing his way through a year's-worth of holiday tunes solo and/or with one partner or another. The premise is outrageous, and it's a bit worn around the edges, but the song and dance numbers make it all worth while.

I mentioned 1954's White Christmas in passing. Rosemary Clooney and Vera- Ellen (who must have had a size 2 waist) and Bing Crosby - paired this time around with Danny Kaye. While the movie itself isn't great, the Irving Berlin tunes for the most part are, including, of course, "White Christmas," and a happy little ditty called "Sisters." That said, Rosemary Clooney's commentary - (actually, I think it's a featurette) that comes with the DVD is worth the price of the rental.

This next movie isn't a movie you think of right off when you think of Christmas flicks. But it takes place during the Christmas holidays, and it's just wonderful.

It's called "While You Were Sleeping," and it's one of the movies-if not the movie that made Sandra Bullock a star. It co-stars Bill Pullman (of Accidental Tourist), and a great ensemble cast featuring folks like Peter Gallager, Peter Boyle, Jack Warden and Glynis Johns. This funny, romantic, sweet - all the things you want in a holiday movie. Beautifully written, this 1995 flick still stands up. I've seen it many times, and enjoyed it each and every time.

Love Actually is another great holiday movie. When I first saw it (on the big screen) in 2003, I thought it had a few too many love relationships to follow. By the time they covered them all, I'd forgotten who was who and what was what. But when I saw it again on the small screen, I adored it. It's one of those movies you (I) can watch again and again. Part of the reason - I think - is that it does have so much stuff packed into its 135 minutes. And part of the reason is that it's really well written. Then there's the cast - which is - perfectly cast.

The "stars" of this movie (and there are many) are all great: Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, Laura Linney, Alan Richman, Colin Firth, Bill Nighy, - they all act their socks off. This movie made me want to see what else Mr. Nighy had done (he is one of the most versatile actors on the planet). I also checked out a few Colin Firth movies I hadn't seen. I was already a fan of the others.

The supporting actors are all wonderful as well, particularly Rowan Atkinson - who is generally a bit too off the wall for my taste, but just does an amazing job here. Billy Bob Thornton is appropriately seedy, Keira Knightly looks beautiful, Laura Linney is heartbreaking, and everyone - young, old, fat, thin, - are all just a joy to watch. If you enjoy light, romantic comedies with a bit of drama thrown in for good measure, Love Actually is your kind of movie. What's more, you'll find several of today's more recognizable faces (who were then unknowns) hidden amongst the cast - including Mad Men's January Jones.

Finally, a note about a movie appropriately called, "The Holiday." While I am not a Jack Black fan, I am fond of this bright and shiny 2007 Christmas package. It's the tale of two women, one in L.A., the other just outside of London, who swap houses over the holidays. It's loaded with charm. Jude Law, Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet are all wonderful, and the children are adorable without being gooey.

So there are a few oldies-but-goodies and a couple of semi-goodies. Unfortunately, there are no Hanukkah movies - let alone good Hanukkah movies to recommend here. But then again, you never know. Someone reading this blog may just know of an obscure Hanukkah movie that's out there- even a good one. About the only recent Hanukkah anything I can think of featured Adam Sandler singing the Hanukkah song.

Which brings us to music - holiday music, during this, "the most wonderful time of the year!" Hope you'll check in as I check it all out, next time, here at picsandpans!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

If you like movies, TV, dining out, eating in, or just reading about them, you're in the right spot. I may also add a word or two about a favorite book, article, CD, song, product, service, ad, "spot" or anything else that strikes my fancy.If something doesn't live up to my expectations, I may jabber on about that as well. Hopefully, somewhere along the way, something I've said or told you about will make your day go a little better. Anyway, that's the plan.

So let's start out with movies - Holiday movies in particular. I'm going to try and stay away from the obvious favorites, as (1) they're generally not mine, and (2) you're here to get some new ideas, which, in this case, are actually old ideas - or movies, that you may have somehow missed.

Today's movie is called "Christmas In Connecticut." I'm talking about the origional 1945 classic with Barbara Stanwyck. I love this movie. It's funny, warm and simply pefect. No hard-to-follow plot. No over-the-top anything.The only thing anyone might rally against it is that there is a brief scene early-on where a fur coat is involved. If you can get past that, you'll be fine.

In short, Stanwyck is amazing. The supporting cast is perfectly cast. The sets are absolutely teriffic and the black and white cinematography is first rate.

If you're a fan of old movies, you know who Sidney Greenstreet and S.Z. Sakall are - if only by their famous faces. And Dennis Morgan is highly watchable as Stanwyck's love interest.

So what's it all about, Alfie? Well, there's this columist, see. Her name is Elizabeth Lane, and she works out of her modest apartment, writing a home-and-hearth-type column in a ladies magazine published by Mr. Greenstreet. Her columns are filled with mouth-watering recipes and tales of her happy family- including her new baby. Trouble is, Liz doesn't know how to cook worth a lick. And she's single to boot. That's right- no husband. No baby. No cozy farm house- no nothing. She gets her recipes from her Uncle Felix, who owns a restaurant just around the corner. And while you would think that her publisher would be aware of such things - he isn't. Until, one day, when...

Well, to tell you more would spoil it all. Let's just say that fun and romance are on the menu. Love it. Love it. Love it.

About Me

My name is Jaine Rodack. I am a writer and voiceover person by trade. I've made a career of reading and writing for companies of all sizes and descriptions. What do I write? Speeches, sales, training and tribute videos, brochures, articles, radio and TV commercials, books, ads, all manner of internal communications, lyrics, recognition and reward materials, sketches, jingles, presentations and other special material, including this blog! Among my book titles: The Peabody: A History of the South's Grand Hotel, Forgotten Recipes, As Cool As a Cucumber, and Be of Good Cheer: Memories of Harmonica Legend Pete Pedersen.